Acai, Guarana, and Manuka Honey
The Acai berries are also harvested as food. In the Amazon region of Brazil, acai palm was described as the most important plant species because the fruit makes up such a major component of diet (up to 42% of the total food intake by weight). The juice and pulp of acai berries are frequently used in various juice blends, smoothies, sodas, and other beverages. In northern Brazil, acai is traditionally served in cuias with tapioca and sometimes sugar. Acai has become a fad in southern Brazil where it is consumed cold as acai na tigela. As acai deteriorates rapidly after harvest, its raw material is generally only available outside the immediate growing region as juice or acai pulp that has been frozen, dried, or freeze-dried. Acai berry is thought to have the highest antioxidant value of any food, thanks to a high level of anthocyanins. Researchers believe acai has five times more antioxidants than blueberry. Acai is becoming increasingly available in beverage form at health-food stores.
Manuka honey is well known for its antibacterial and natural anti-biotic properties. It is now being tested in hospitals and by cancer research groups to see just how effective it in is aiding post operative wounds. Traditionally it has been taken for stomach, throat and skin ailments and factor 18+ and 20+ are suitable for external use, applying them directly onto the wound. There are various strengths of Manuka from 5+ - 20+ and which one you should choose depends on what it is being used for. The lower the number (UMF) the lower the activity or strength. Lower strengths are suitable for general well being and as a preventative, while the higher numbers are suitable for remedial use. manuka honey can be expensive, but it is true that you get what you pay for with this product. The good thing is that results are usually fast, and it is often well worth the investment. New Zealand's active manuka honey is used as a natural product both internally and topically on the skin. Apitherapy, the name given to treatment with natural honey, has been used by many different cultures throughout history. Such uses are now being reconsidered by a modern world in light of new research into the properties and uses of active manuka honey.
Chemically equivalent to caffeine, guaraná is of interest for its potential effects on cognition. In rats, guarana increased memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo. Traditionally Brazillan use Guarana seed to treat headaches, fever, aphrodisiac, bacterial infections etc etc. It increases concentration keeps a clear head and drives out mental boredom. Guararana also works as a sexual stimulant. Mixed with coffee it strengthens the effect of the caffeine, which means extra energy. The Guaranís would make tea by shelling and washing the seeds, followed by pounding them into a fine powder. The powder is kneaded into a dough and then shaped into cylinders. This product is known as guarana bread or Brazilian cocoa, which would be grated and then immersed into hot water along with sugar. Guarana is used in sweetened or carbonated soft drinks and energy shots, an ingredient of herbal tea or contained in capsules. Generally, while South America obtains most of its caffeine from guarana, many other Western countries are beginning to witness use of guarana in various energy and superfruit products
Posted in Health on Tuesday 26th of August 2008 07:05:52 PM